Rope-clamp.



C. A. MECHLING, D. L. THOMAS & J. H. KUHNS.

ROPE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED ooT.17, 1911.

1,035,891. Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

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y WMM/)GMW C. A. MECHLING, D. L. THOMAS'& J. H. KUHNS.

ROPE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED 001111911.

1,035,89 1 Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. MCHLING, DAVID L. THOMAS, AND JAMES H. KUHNS, F TULSA, OKLA- HOMA; SAID KUHNS ASSIVGNOR -TO SAID MECHLING.

ROPE-CLAMP.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

Application filed October 17, 1911.y Serial No. 655,243.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, CHARLES A. MECH- LING, DAVID L. THOMAS, and JAMES H. KUHNS, citizens of the United States, residing at Tulsa, in the county of Tulsa and State of Oklahoma,y have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rope Clamps, of Ywhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an improvement in rope clamps and more particularly to clamps of this character which are designed especially for use in connection with well drilling apparatus, although the invention is susceptible to other uses. lt is well understood that `clamps of this character when used in connection with the cables of well drilling apparatus are subjected to great strains, and the object of the present invention is the provision of a strong and durable clamp of this character which may be readily clamped to the cable tight enough to prevent any slipping when in use and thus spoiling the cable.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a clamp of this character of such a construction that it may be readily and easily positioned onto the cable or rope.

A further object'of the invention is the provision of a clamp of this character of such a construction that it may be readily adapted for use in connection with cables of'various sizes.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a detailed description hereinafter when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated and wherein like characters of reference refer to similar parts in the several views.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a `front elevation of the improved clamp; Fig. 2 is a. horizontal cross section through the central portion of the clamp,` the clamping jaws thereof being shown in open position; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the clamping jaws in their closed position; Fig. 4 is a side elevation; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the clamp showing the same applied to a cable; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the removable liners used in connection with the clamping jaws; Fig. 6a is a top plan View thereof; Fig. (3" is a bottom plan view thereof, and Fig. 7 is a cross section through the clamping jaws showing the removable bearing faces employed in conjunction therewith.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the body of the clamp which is provided with an opening extending longitudinally therethrough and with a slot B formed in the wall thereof and opening into the opening B in the body A. The body A is conveniently formed of cast metal and is substantially cylindrical in form. The body A is also conveniently provided at the upj'cr and lower portions thereof With strengthening flanges (L which are formed integral therewith and which extend around the body and terminate at the slot B formed therein. Projecting laterally from the body A at one side of the slot B' formed therein, and between the upper and lower flanges a thereof, is an arm C which is preferably cast yintegral with the body A and the inner face of which is positioned in substantially the same plane as one of the walls of the slot B in the body A.

The opening B which extends longitudinally through the body A ot' the clamp, is provided with a curved wall which in the present embodiment of the invention is shown as being formed on the arc of a circle; and rigid with the body member A of the clamp and projecting into the opening B extending longitudinally therethrough is a sector shaped jaw member D, the curved base of which constitutes a continuation of the curled wall of the opening B in the body A of the clamp. T he sector shaped jaw member D is conveniently cast integral with the body A of the clamp although any other constructiou may be elnployed in which the jaw member is rigid with said body member. The sector shapeil jaw member D projects for a substantial distance above and below the body member of the clamp and is so positioned relatively to the arm C heretofore described, that one of the radial faces thereof extending inwardly at an 4angle from the inner end of the inner face of the arm C. and such radial face of the jaw member is provided with a curved seat extending for the full length thereof in which is removably secured a boxing D', the face of which is flush with the radial face `of the jaw member D in which it is secured and is provided with a of the invention illustrated in the drawings we have shown screws d which pass through the projecting ends of the jaw member D and engage the end portions of the boxing D. Fitting Within. theopening B- which extends longitudinally through the ybody member A of Athe l clamp, is a movable jaw member E which is co-extensive in length with the xed jaw member D hereto ore described, and the ends-of which project above and below the top and bottom of the jawv member A. The jaw member E is in the shape of a sector, the radius of which is substantially the same as the radius of the sector shaped fixed ljaw D and the outer curved wall of the jaw member E is formed on the same arc as the curved wall b of the opening B extending through the body A of the clamp... The'cross sectional area of the movable jaw member is consid` erablyl less than the cross sectional area of the openingv B of the body member A so that said jaw is free to oscillate in such opening with its curved wall in contact Iwith the curved wall of the opening. The radial face of the sector shaped jaw member E adjacent the slot B in the wall of the clamp A is provided with a curved seat therein in which is removably secured a boxing having a cable receiving `groove extending for the full length thereof, these parts being similar in construction to, the boxing D heretofore described in connection with the fixed jaw D. The cable receiving groove of the boxing which is carried'by the movable jaw is adapted to coperate with the cable receiving groove of the boxing carried by the fixed jaw to form a socket in whichthe cable of the well drillin apparatus is adapted to be clamped, and rom the construction thus described it will be noted that the socket thus formed is positioned atone side of the center of the circle .on which the curved wall b of the opening B in the clamp is formed, so that as the movable jaw E is oscillated in said opening, theboxing carried thereby will be caused to approach the boxing on the lixed jaw D so that the cable will be securely clamped in the grooves carried by said boxings. From the construction above described it will also be noted that when the rear faces of the jaw members D and E are in contact, as shown in Fig. 2

the cable receiving socket formed by the grooves in the removable boxings carried by said jaw will be closed at its rear and open at its front so that the cable may be readily guided into said socket and the clamp properly positioned thereon by merely drawing lease/of the cable therebetween.

`the clamponto the cable with the inner face of the upwardly projecting arm C of the clamp in 'contact therewith.

Projecting outwardly from the movable jaw member E and positioned intermediate the ends thereof,`is an arm F, which'is po` sitioned directly opposite the fixed arm C projecting1 outwardly from the body -A of the clamp and is'conveniently of 'substantially` the same size as said fixed arm. The wallof-the body A of the clamp is provided with a recess a opening into the slot B formed therein and positioned between thel reinforcing flanges a, atA the top andbottom thereof,l which recess is of substantially the same width as the arm F extending outwardly from the movable jaw and serves to receive the same when the movable jaw is osc`illated. This construction also serves to prevent endwise movement of the movable jaw in the opening .B of theclamp.

Formed integral with the portions of the 'fixed and movable jaws D and E and projecting above the body A of the clamplare ,suitable 'eyes which are adapted to receive the usual supporting chains. These devices are well known in this art, and we have therefore deemed it unnecessary to illustrate the same.

Any desired/means may be'employed for adjusting themovable jaw E relative to the fixed jaw D, to effect the clamping or re- In the form of the j invention illustrated in the drawings, we have shown means for this purpose which enables a rapid and eiiicient adjustment of the jaws. In the construction shown the outer end of the arm C which projects laterally from the body Amember A of the 'clamp is provided with a pair of outwardly extending pins g upon which is slidably mounted aiblock G from the ends of which project pintles g.

H designates a bail, the arms of which are pivotally supported bytheir free ends upon the` pintles gA projecting from the ends of the block G and the end of which is i adapted to embrace the free end of the arm F projecting from the movable jaw E and to engage a curved seat h positioned on the outer face thereof. Y l

l designates an operating screw which has a threaded engagement with the block G and the inner end of which is adapted to engage a suitable socket formed in the outer face of the arm C projectingfrom the body member A Vof the clamp. The outer end of the operating screw I is provided with an operating handle I of anysuitable construction.

In the use of the device the arm F projjecting from the movable jaw member E is moved away from the arm C' projecting from the body member A of the clamp as far as possible and the clamp isthenl placed upon the cable by drawing the same over the cable, causing it to pass between the arms F and C and into the cable receiving socket formed by the coperating cable grooves of the jaw members. The bail H 1s then swung over the outer end of the arm I" projecting from the movable jaw member E and the handle I of the operating'screw Il is actuated to shift the block G away from the arm C projecting from the body member of the clamp.` which will serve to draw the arm F toward the arm C and effectively clamp the cable in its socket. By

vreason of the eccentric positioning of the cable socket heretofore described, a very slight movement of. the operating screw I will serve to move the jaws to clamping position and -Yit will also be seen that b v this construction, the clamp may be effectively secured to the cable by the application of a small amount of power to the operating handle I and that when so secured there is practically no danger of any slipping of the clamp on the cable.

An important feature of the present invention is the removable boxings which are pro\'ided'fo1"tlie jaw members of the clamp, as not only may these boxings be removed and replaced when they become worn, thus prolonging the life of the clamp indefinitely, but also by providing a number of sets of boxings having different size cable receiving grooves therein it is possible to use the same clamp with cables of different sizes, whereas at the present time it is the custom to provide a separate clamp for each cable.

While a convenient embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be obvious that many changes may be made to the form and construction therein shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim 1. In a rope clamp, a body provided with a longitudinally disposed 'opening therein, a jaw member projectin within the openin'g in said body, a secon jaw memberpositioned within the o ening of the body member and free to osclllate therein, and means for adjusting said jaw members relatively to each other the upper ends of said jaws being provided with means for-suspending the clamp.

2. In a rope clamp, a body provided with an opening extending longitudmally thereof, said opening being provided with a wall curved on the arc of a` circle, a jaw member projecting within the opening in the body of the clamp, a second jaw member fitting within the opening in said body and provided with a curved Wall conforming to the curvature of the curved wall of the opening, the adjacent faces of the jaw members being providedwith coperating cable receiving portions therein, positioned eccentric to the center' of and within a circle including the curved wall of the opening in the body, and meansfor adjusting said second jaw member relatively to sai first mentioned jaw member.

3. In a rope clamp, a body provided with an opening therein extending longitudinally thereof, said opening heilig provided with a wall curved on the arc of a circle, a sector shaped jaw member rigid with said body andy rojecting into the opening therein, a mova le sector shaped jaw membermounted in the opening in said body and provided with a curved wall conforming to the curvature of the curved wall in the opening in the body, the adjacent faces of said jaw members being provided with cooperating cable receiving recesses eccentric to a circle including the curved wall of the longitudinal opening in the body, and means for ad# justing said movable jaw member. relative to said rigid jaw member. I

4. In a rope clamp, a body provided with a longitudinally disposed opening therein, and with an opening in the wall thereof .communicating with said longitudinal openmg, a jaw member positioned within the longitudinally disposed opening in the body, a movable jaw member mounted in the longitudinally disposed openingin the body and free to oscillate about the longitudinal axis thereof, an arm projecting laterally from said movable jaw member through the opening in the wall of the body member. and means ,interposed between said arm and the body for oscillating said movable jaw member to move the same into and out of clamping relation to said first mentioned jaw. i

5. In a rope clamp, a body provided with a longitudinally disposed opening extending therethrough and with a longitudinally disposed slot in the wall thereof communicating with said opening, said body being provided with a laterally extendin recess intermediate the to and bottom t ereof, opening into one e ge of said longitudinal slot in the wall of the body, a jaw member positioned within the longitudinally disposed opening in the body, a movable jaw member mounted to oscillate in the longitudinally disposed opening in the body, an arm projecting laterally from said movable jaw member and movable 'in the laterally extending recess in the wall of the body of the the clamp.

v opening extendin vposed opening in'the body,a movable jaw member mounted to oscillate in saidopening and to coperate with said first mentioned jaw member, an arm'rigid with said body and projecting laterally therefrom, an arm projecting laterally from the movable jaw member through the opening in the wall of. thebody member, and an adjustable connec-y tion between said arms.

7.1m la rope clamp, a body provided with a longitudinally disposed .opening extending therethrough, and with a longitudinal'slotl in the wall thereof communicating with said opening, the opening extending through the body of the clamp being provided with a wall curved on the arc of a circle, a 4rigid arm projecting laterally from said body at one vside of. the longitudinal slot in the wall thereof, a sectorshaped jaw member projecting into the longitudinally disposed opening in the body of the clamp, a sector shaped jaw memberimovably mounted in the ber and provide with a curved wall conforming to the curvature of the curved wall of said opening, an arm projecting laterally from said `movable jaw member through the slot in the wall of the body member, and an adjustable connection between said arm and the. rigid arm projecting from the body of 8.111 a rope clamp, a body provided with an opening extending longitudinally therea through, said opening having a wall curved on the arc of a circle, the wall of said body being provided .with a longitudinally disposed slot therein communicating with the y opening extending through the body and with a laterally extending recess positioned intermediate the to and bottom of the body and opening into t e slot inthe wall thereof, a jaw member rigid with saidy body and project-ing into the opening extending 1ongitudinally therethrough, a jaw member through the body memmovably supported in the opening extending longitudinally through the body and provided with a curved wall conforming to the curvature of the wall of said opening, a rigid arm projecting laterallyirom said body, an arm projecting laterally from the movable jaw member through the slot in the wall of the body of the clamp, said last mentioned arm being positioned to move in the laterally extending recess in the body of the clamp, and an adjustableconnection between said arm and the rigid arm projecting from the body of the clamp.

9. In a rope clamp, a pair of jaw members, one of which is movable relative to the other, anarm extending' from each of said jaw membersa block slidably mounted on one of said arms, a bail pivotallyconnectedv a cable, a removable liner for each ont said jaw members, means `for 4rigidly securing said liners to said jaw members, each of said liners being provided with a curved cable receiving recess, said cable receiving recesses being provided with straight arallel walls.

ln testimony whereof we a x our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. MECHLING. DAVIDIJ. THUMS.

JAMES H. KUHNS. Witnesses:

FRANK CARTER, 0. A. STEINER. 

